Simi Valley Too Tall an Order for Raiders

SIMI VALLEY — For the second time this season, Channel Islands’ speed matched up against Simi Valley’s size.

Speed got burned again.

Channel Islands could not overcome dreadful first-half shooting and 6-foot-8 Rafael Berumen, and the Pioneers escaped, 60-59, in overtime Friday night on Kurt Mjoen’s basket with 10 seconds left.

The Raiders (14-4, 4-4 in league play) had a chance at the finish but Val Blue missed a potential winning layup at the overtime buzzer.

Channel Islands Coach Gary Abraham was furious that a foul was not called.

The referees ruled time had expired.

“I think we should have been shooting free throws with about two seconds left,” said Abraham, whose Raiders, are The Times’ No. 6 team in the region.

With the game tied, 49-49, Bernabe Simon of Channel Islands was called for charging with five seconds left in regulation.

A three-pointer by Simi Valley’s Ronnie Noel at the end of regulation was off-target.

In overtime, Charles Merricks, who finished with 20 points, hit a pair of three-pointers, the second of which brought the Raiders to within 58-57 with 1:02 left.

A drive by O.J Thomas gave the Raiders their second lead of the game, 59-58, but Noel found Kurt Mjoen alone underneath for the game-winner.

“We’ll take it and get out of Dodge,” said Simi Valley Coach Dean Bradshaw, whose Pioneers (16-2, 6-2), The Times’ second-ranked team in the region, remained in a first-place tie with Newbury Park.

Despite a poor-shooting first half--eight of 32 (21.9%)--including two of 13 from three-point range--defensive hustle on the press kept the Raiders in the same latitude as Simi Valley.

The Pioneers held a 24-17 halftime edge before getting the ball down low to Berumen, who scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half.